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Wang's Olympic journey ends as China bows out
Source: Xinhua |
August 8, 2012, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
HE is the first NBA player from China and a four-time Olympian. He had issues with Chinese basketball officials, but later went on to become a morale-boosting leader of the national team.
He is Wang Zhizhi, the most respected Chinese player after Houston Rockets star Yao Ming stepped down.
Wang ended his fourth Olympic journey after China was eliminated from the London Olympic Games on Monday without winning a match.
"Life is filled with happiness and sadness. We've fallen behind the best teams in the world, but Chinese basketball has to move on," he said after China lost to Great Britain 58-90.
Though the Chinese side failed to make any mark on the match, Wang spared no effort to lead the team with 11 points and 5 rebounds. At the beginning of the match, the 35-year-old even presented a rare and emotional slam dunk.
"This was my last Olympics. Thanks to everyone for their support. I'll miss playing for Team China. We tried for a better result and we still have a long way to go," he said.
His former teammate and good friend Yao, who is at the London Games working for a Chinese broadcaster, gave him a long hug after the match to bid farewell.
The 2.14m-tall center became an Olympian during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where he started and averaged 11.1 points and 5.6 rebounds, helping China finish in eighth place.
After Yao left the team, Wang was a significant contributor to the Chinese team, winning the 2010 Asian Games and 2011 Asian championships.
Talking about the past year, Wang said, "We had many injuries and many people didn't think we would make it here. We were pleased to win the Asia championship and make it to London."
He is Wang Zhizhi, the most respected Chinese player after Houston Rockets star Yao Ming stepped down.
Wang ended his fourth Olympic journey after China was eliminated from the London Olympic Games on Monday without winning a match.
"Life is filled with happiness and sadness. We've fallen behind the best teams in the world, but Chinese basketball has to move on," he said after China lost to Great Britain 58-90.
Though the Chinese side failed to make any mark on the match, Wang spared no effort to lead the team with 11 points and 5 rebounds. At the beginning of the match, the 35-year-old even presented a rare and emotional slam dunk.
"This was my last Olympics. Thanks to everyone for their support. I'll miss playing for Team China. We tried for a better result and we still have a long way to go," he said.
His former teammate and good friend Yao, who is at the London Games working for a Chinese broadcaster, gave him a long hug after the match to bid farewell.
The 2.14m-tall center became an Olympian during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where he started and averaged 11.1 points and 5.6 rebounds, helping China finish in eighth place.
After Yao left the team, Wang was a significant contributor to the Chinese team, winning the 2010 Asian Games and 2011 Asian championships.
Talking about the past year, Wang said, "We had many injuries and many people didn't think we would make it here. We were pleased to win the Asia championship and make it to London."
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